Despite his hideous character Miss Agnes causes surprise and dark laughter in the Prospero Theater.
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This paradox between the absurd interactions of the characters and the implacable and uncomfortable realism of the main character thus leads to an original and refreshing proposal. Quite a feat by director Louis-Karl Tremblay.
Sylvie Drapeau confidently slips into the skin of Agnès, a former writer who, in this comedy with biting humor, transforms into a ruthless critic without a filter for her surroundings.
At a certain age, she doesn’t hesitate to skin her own adult son (played by the energetic Félix Lahaye) or her friends (played by Éric Bernier and Stéphanie Cardi). Played by Luc Chandonnet with disarming naturalness, her young lover takes a liking to her eyes for a long time. This Adonis is surrounded by two young suitors, beautifully portrayed by Sally Sakho and Ariane Trépanier.
Finally, Nathalie Claude morphs to interpret the show’s most unique character, the itinerant utopian encrusted in this scholar. That kind of pearl-serving fools, like that anecdote of a sweet artichoke that ends up looking like its own, is delightfully unclassifiable.
The adjustment of an adjustment
This work is a free female adaptation of Molière’s Misanthrope by German Rebekka Kricheldorf, which in turn was adapted to Quebec Sauce by Louis-Karl Tremblay. Part of the credit for this second transformation also goes to Leyla-Claire Rabih and Frank Weigand, who translated the text.
The beginning of the show with Agnès’ monologue smearing everything, absolutely everything, be it artists, feminists, men, women, left and right etc. is misleading.
This speech and his attitude that every truth is good to say, especially when it is virulent, foreshadowed an atmosphere of bitterness. However, a certain lightness is created by the humorous text and the interactions of the protagonists, which are characterized by openness and implausibility.
This incongruous mix is accentuated by deliberately varying levels of language and by a back-and-forth between philosophical reflections and more raw and direct remarks. The fast pace of the story, the music and a simple but effective canvas make this set even more heterogeneous.
This show therefore flirts with the straw that breaks the camel’s back, but it never spills over, for the greater good.
Miss Agnes ★★★★☆
▶ Directed by Louis-Karl Tremblay.
Starring Sylvie Drapeau, Eric Bernier, Stéphanie Cardi, Luc Chandonnet, Nathalie Claude and Felix Lahaye.
▶ Miss Agnes will be presented at the Prospero Theater until October 15.